Is adolescent varicocele a progressive disease process?

PURPOSE: We determined whether there was evidence of progression in either varicocele grade or testicular volume differentials over time in our adolescent varicocele population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 41 boys 7.3 to 19 years old (mean age 13.7, SD 2.5) were seen at sequential visits. At each visit varicocele grade was determined by the attending urologist and ultrasound calculated testicular volume differential was determined by an attending ultrasonographer. A senior staff statistician performed statistical analysis of the sequential data.

RESULTS: The varicocele grade data were analyzed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test and no significant evidence of progression on sequential visits was demonstrated. Similarly, the serial volume differential data were assessed using the paired t test and no significant evidence for progression of testicular volume differentials was demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS: In our study population neither varicocele grade nor change in testicular volume differentials increased over time in a statistically significant manner. These results argue against the concept that adolescent varicocele is a progressive disease process.